Definition: But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
Explanation: Okay, letโs break down this verse from Ezekiel 2:8. It's a really important message about responsibility and being good. Hereโs a simple explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is essentially saying, โYou are being held accountable for your actions.โ Itโs warning someone โ likely a leader or person in power โ to not be defiant, selfish, or rebellious. Let's unpack it word by word: "But thou, son of man..." : This refers to a leader or authority figure โ perhaps a king or religious leader. โSon of manโ is a figurative term that means someone in a position of responsibility and influence. "...hear what I say unto thee..." : This is a direct address, telling the person to listen carefully. "Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house..." : This is the key part. "Rebellious house" refers to a specific group or system of people โ likely a powerful and defiant one. Itโs comparing them to someone who refuses to obey or follow instructions. "...open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee." : This is a symbolic instruction. It means โDon't refuse to listen to what I have to say.โ It also suggests offering something โ perhaps guidance, wisdom, or even forgiveness โ to the person. Putting it all together: Ezekiel is telling this person to listen to me and to not act in a way thatโs defiant or rebellious. He's warning them against being selfish or refusing to follow whatโs right. The verse suggests that if they refuse to listen, they will be held accountable โ perhaps through consequences. Overall Meaning: Itโs a strong call for humility, obedience, and responsibility. It highlights the idea that those in positions of power have a duty to listen to their followers and to act with integrity. In short, it's a warning against selfishness and demanding things without considering the consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Provide context about Ezekiel or the time period he wrote this?